2013 Ducati Multistrada 1.2L Petrol · HX13 AAY

The defining mechanical takeaway from this Ducati Multistrada's MOT record is a broadly stable roadworthiness profile with two minor but recurring concerns centring on the suspension and rear brake system. Across the four recorded tests from 2022 through 2026, the motorcycle has passed every inspection without a single advisory escalating into a failure, yet the same areas have surfaced more than once. The most recent test on 1 July 2026 recorded a light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber and a slight fluctuation in rear brake effort, alongside a minor defect for a partially functioning nearside front direction indicator. Looking at the wider picture, suspension-related advisories appeared in both 2022 (rear lower shock absorber bush wear) and 2026 (front shock oil misting), suggesting that the damping and linkage components are accumulating age-related wear that warrants close physical scrutiny, even though they remain within pass tolerances for now. The recorded mileage of 30,248 miles against a 2013 registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 2,327 miles, which is notably low for a thirteen-year-old motorcycle. The MOT records only span from April 2022 onwards, leaving the first nine years of the vehicle's life without documented test history, which means mileage progression during that earlier period cannot be independently verified. Low annual mileage on a motorcycle of this age carries specific mechanical implications: brake calipers, discs, and pads are more prone to surface corrosion and binding from infrequent use, the clutch and gearbox can develop stiffness, fuel system components can deteriorate from extended standing periods, and suspension seals and bushes can dry out and crack rather than wear through normal articulation. The 2026 advisory for rear brake fluctuation is consistent with this usage pattern, as brake caliper slide pins and pistons commonly seize on low-mileage machines that are not exercised regularly. For a prospective buyer, the priority checks on a test ride should focus on the components that have already drawn tester attention. The front shock absorber should be inspected for any visible oil weeping down the stanchion or fork leg beyond what was recorded, and the rider should feel for uneven damping response over broken surfaces, excessive front-end dive under braking, or a faint knocking noise from the top yoke that could indicate worn fork seals or degraded oil. The rear shock linkage bushes, flagged in 2022, should be examined for cracked, perished, or displaced rubber, and the bike should be checked at rest for any vertical play in the swingarm pivot or linkage pivot points. The rear brake system warrants particular attention given the recorded fluctuation in effort: the caliper should be checked for free sliding on its pins, the pads for uneven wear suggesting a sticking piston, and the disc for a corroded or lipped edge that could explain the inconsistent effort under application. Additional checks should address the items that have not yet been flagged but are common wear points on a Multistrada of this vintage and mileage bracket. The chain and sprockets, although only noted once for a loose guard in 2023, should be inspected for stretched chain measurement, hooked sprocket teeth, and adequate lubrication, as low annual mileage can accelerate corrosion between infrequent rides. The direction indicator issue from the 2026 test should be verified as fully rectified, and all lighting should be confirmed operational across both main and secondary light sources. Given the long periods of likely standing, the brake fluid should be assessed for age-related discoloration, the coolant for condition, and the battery load-tested to ensure it can hold charge, as these are items that degrade with time rather than mileage on a low-use machine. A final visual check underneath the bike for any oil residue around the engine cases, sump, and final drive would also help identify any slow leaks that have not yet manifested as visible advisories.